achive1

ASHBURTON SCHOOL RE-DEVELOPMENT

Dear Friend/Neighbour,

As you are probably aware of Croydon Council’s redevelopment plan for the Ashburton School site I would like to inform you that there is a strong feeling to instigate a Residents Association/action group, so that those of us who live in the near and immediate vicinity can express our concerns and perhaps come to a compromise in reaching a solution that would be in the interest of all concerned.

The proposal is a huge undertaking and could have a diverse effect in one way or another. For those of us who live in Chaucer Green the immediate effect is that our privacy and view will be compromised. The huge increase in population in such a concentrated pitch could lead to increased traffic congestion, parking problems and increased danger to young and old. For house owners it could lead to devaluation in house prices. In time the social structure of the immediate community could also be compromised by increased crime and other anti-social behaviour. Putting high concentration of population in any already established populated area can destabilise it and therefore lead to problems in the long term.

The idea of a new school building is without doubt a good one but can such a profound development proposal justify the effect for apparent funding. The school may need moderate repair and perhaps a general make-over. But, it seems that building 100 dwellings is the councils primary concern rather that providing adequate funding for the school to maintain a satisfactory standard. Also, if you do have children at the school or due to start, then I am sure the disruption caused during the building work will affect them profoundly.

If you do have concerns then I urge you to contact your local councillors in the first instance. Another way is to work together and put our case forward to interject with the parties concerned to provide a better proposal. To this effect I have composed the above to ascertain the interest and hopefully a public meeting can be arranged to determine the best way of establishing a Residents Association/Action Group who can then represent the interests of the local community.

I would like to invite any individual who has the relative experience and organisation flair to come forward and offer their services. However, I also think that everyone who has an interest in the above issue to petition and be counted by contacting me by phone, email or letter for now, giving your name, address and relevant contact details.

Yours Sincerely,

Keith Nicholas

Ashburton Learning Village Re-development Plan

My personal views

After speaking to many residents in the last few days, it transpires that a large percentage were totally unaware of the Councils redevelopment plans. Those that did, most assumed that the development was just for the school being rebuilt with a sport centre and library included. It seems that the council deliberately misled the local residents. Some people did receive notification but these were few and far between.

I came across several house owners who were visibly shocked to hear that there are in fact going to be 100 dwelling built instead of the sport centre as we were led to believe. I find this personally totally unacceptable. This lack of basic responsibility and moral obligation is unbelievable. I can go so far as to say that it is a breach of our fundamental rights.

It is somewhat naive of the Council to think that they can treat it's residents with such contempt. The Council has a responsibility to protect and preserve the rights of its residents and we expect no less. WE need to have confidence in our local government but right now I personally am questioning it's motives and aims.

Local council are forever making excuses for lack of funds yet I find it amazing that there is a constant flow of projects being approved. It seems the council favour building projects that provide financial gain as opposed to providing and retaining its current responsibilities to the community. I think the fundamental aims and goals are being compromised, such as education and health.

Increasing population in certain areas only makes matters worse and is counter productive.

Croydon is not just an insignificant town but is affectionately recognised as the second capital. Over the years Croydon as gained international recognition and I am proud to be a Croydonian. But it saddens me to know that there are issues that contradict this recognition. We do put up with our fair share political and social issues that are a norm and yes, they put a drain or our resources as a town. However, adding to the problems by selling of land in areas that have a natural beauty and environmental interest to developers is not going to improve or excuse bad judgment in local policies.

I feel that the way the council have handled the Ashburton site redevelopment issue questionable. There was no proper consultation or notice given for the local population to interact. Croydon Council may have technically conducted itself within the parameters of legality and perhaps stretched the boundaries of formality to it limits, but there is no way they can justify itself by claiming that they acting in the best interest of local residents.

I do sincerely hope that we as individual will stand up and be counted. I do sincerely hope that we will not be discouraged or intimidated by the faceless shadow of council red tape. I hope this site will provide a forum to establish that we are the people who make up Croydon and that the powers that be are there to represent us.

I look forward to hearing other comments and thoughts on the subject.

Keith

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